Pietro Rusconi, GM of Palazzo Morosini Degli Spezieri, has the art of five-star hospitality running through his veins. Born and raised in Venice, son of General Manager supremo Natale Rusconi and hospitality guru in his own right, this converted 15th-century palazzo is run with a passion for Venice and years of experience in the luxury hotel industry.

Palazzo Morosini Degli Spezieri is a self-catering apart-hotel offering personalised service and upscale conveniences in an effortless style that showcases both classic Venetian design and understated, contemporary sophistication. Wonderfully spacious apartments range from one, two and three bedrooms that are suitable for both couple and families alike.

Each is dressed in glorious Rubelli fabrics and has a kitchen/dining area in neutral colour schemes shined upon by large beams of natural light that come pouring in through the oversized windows. It feels very residential here in the San Polo district. It’s quiet and feels set apart from the hordes of tourists despite the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and Rialto markets being mere moments away. There is also a fair share of taverns in the vicinity whose chicheti (Venetian tapas) and Veneto wines provide the perfect excuse to ditch the self-catering experience for a night or two.

If you’ve come to Venice to celebrate a special occasion, Palazzo Morosini Degli Spezieri can host small weddings, reunions, private dinners and small events that may spill out onto its private garden. Just ask the well-connected, ever-present Pietro for advice on how to make it extra special.

Colonial Cartagena’s historic centre is a romantic maze of narrow cobbled roads, colourful façades and bougainvillea covered balconies with church spires reaching for the sky at every turn. Down one such pretty thoroughfare is Casa Cochera del Gobernador, housed within one of the city’s oldest buildings dating back to the 16th century.

Surprisingly large inside, reminders of its past are everywhere. Balustrades, courtyards and halls are very much part of the charming boutique hotel it is today; every element of which has been restored and updated to exceptional standards of quality. Equal care has been taken with the fashionably vintage, French-inspired décor, as demonstrated in the hotel’s salon and two suites where private functions often take place.

Each guest room is an incredibly serene space of neutral colour and natural materials with soft lighting that positively encourages deep sleep. WiFi sweeps through them all, LCD TVs provide in-room entertainment and well-needed air-con maintains constant comfort. Up on the rooftop is a Jacuzzi, plus several sun beds.

After a breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs, arepas (corn bread) and Colombian coffee, the rooftop is a lovely spot to take stock and chill with a cocktail or two. Fresh fruit and juices are available all day and Casa Cochera’s San Blas Bar & Terrace serves the freshest fish, salads, small entrées and light dinners.

Many of the restaurants Cartagena has become famous for are within walking distance but if you wish to explore a little further, ask a member of staff about a day trip to the Rosario Islands for a day of beachy bliss.

The wait is finally over. Two years of renovation and Hotel Stein is now open in all its artful glory.

An inn has stood on this site beside Salzburg’s Salzach River since the Middle Ages, minutes from the city’s main attractions. And in homage to Salzburg’s Venetian architecture (the city was designed by a Venetian architect in the 16th century), Hotel Stein reflects elements of this intricate, Gothic style with displays of bold Venetian glass chandeliers and lamps by Barovier&Toso, and dressed its rooms in textiles by Rubelli.

In contemporary contrast, modern-retro furnishings and large-scale artworks by Austrian artist Brigitte Kowanz, Austrian photographer Luigi Caputo and German photographer Axel Hütte create an entirely new and refreshing style. Bright primary colours, wooden flooring and spacious bathrooms are common features in all the guest rooms. But only the Honeymoon Suite has an incredible (and protected) stucco ceiling.

Guests staying in suites may take breakfast on the rooftop terrace, which leads out from the fine-dining Seven Senses restaurant. The view from here takes in all of Salzburg and the dishes are a showcase of modern “soul food”.

Down on the ground floor, Hotel Stein’s Green Vanilla bakery/eatery/food market promotes healthy snacks and smoothies alongside just-baked breads and pastries. All of which complements time spent in the small spa (relaxation area, sauna, gym) just perfectly.

The four-bedroom, five-bathroom ISHQ Villa was one of the first luxury villas built on this sandy stretch of Sri Lankan south-west shoreline in the 1990s. Bruce Fell-Smith, Australian architect and humanitarian, designed its bright, open spaces, all of which are centred around a courtyard pool.

Large whitewashed walls, colonnades and high ceilings lend a grand quality to the villa, whilst cushiony chairs and creature comforts (king-size beds, high-speed WiFi, unlimited film and music streaming, board games, consoles) make it feel like a home. But essentially, ISHQ Villa is a mini-hotel with the ability to accommodate up to 12 people at one time.

When you hire the villa, the team of personal butlers and a private chef take care of everything for you. Be it a picnic on the beach, high tea, a South Asian cooking class, trips to nearby Galle or activities for the children; they’re here to grant any wish.

A small gym, where personal training sessions can take place, is located on the villa’s mezzanine next to a designated yoga space and meeting room/cinema lounge. On the front lawn a turfed platform is all yours to drive bio-degradable golf balls into the Indian Ocean beyond. And nearby, there are ancient temples, paddy fields and diving sites to explore.

Spread across two buildings, The Artisan D.C. Hotel, Autograph Collection is so cleverly designed and artistically presented it feels like you’re stepping into an exhibition as you walk through its doors. Everything has its place and each tan-coloured leather chair, vintage pendant light, oversized clock, trunk and antique assists in creating the tasteful, retro-modern display.

Local artists’ work, hanging from exposed brick walls, adds a distinctive Colombian touch to the industrial aesthetic. And through the large windows the city’s thriving business and restaurant scene plays out before you.

As corporate types meet, dine and attend a conference in one of The Artisan D.C. Hotel’s three meeting rooms, guests at leisure chill out in The Cooper Lounge Bar with a cocktail and bite to eat (from its international menu) or head to the fine-dining Osaki restaurant for sushi and Asian fare.

There’s also a 24-hour fitness centre on-site complete with cardiovascular equipment, weights and free classes. Plus, a business centre that has all the audio-visual technology required for professional presentations. Meetings and events with up to 40 people can be hosted in the Goldsmith Room, which can be lit and decorated to suit any occasion.

If holding a function here, it’s well worth downloading the hotel’s Meeting Services app to keep track of your event, guest list and make special reservations.

Somewhere to run away to with a loved one, hide out with the family or unwind with a group of friends, The Sandals on Sri Lanka’s south-west coast is a villa made for off-grid lounging.

Two hours south of Colombo, this luxy lair is in the little fishing town of Balapitiya. Free of commercialisation and extremely peaceful, it’s also conveniently close to all the surfing action of Hikkaduwa and historic sites of Galle.

There are just five bedrooms to choose from, available for exclusive use or separate bookings. An on-site chef is at your disposal for breakfast as well as personalised lunches and dinners. A maximum of 10 people may stay at The Sandals and (local architect) Murad Ismail’s free-flowing design makes the property feel like a family house. However, bring your partner for a romantic getaway and you’ll always find a cosy corner on the private beach, in the garden, living room, on your balcony and rooftop terrace.

Each en-suite room and suite has a floor-to-ceiling glass wall bringing in the bright blues of the Indian Ocean and greens of the surrounding garden. And a simple, elegant Mediterranean style has been used throughout the private and public rooms. Serene, soft greys, distressed furniture and virgin-white walls set a calming and convivial vibe, whilst added bonus features such as satellite TV, a DVD library, iPod, books and board games make it really feel like a home. Two of the bedrooms lead out to the (infinity) pool area where barbecues of just-caught seafood can be arranged as well as alfresco meals at your romantic whim.

Take a short stroll through the garden and arrive at the beach where swimming is possible from December to May.

With the almighty Pidurutalagala mountain (Sri Lanka’s tallest peak) presiding over it and the steady Lake Gregory running through it, this temperate retreat was the holiday destination of choice for the English and Scottish tea Planters during the 19th century. Legacies of their time here remain. And the four-bedroom Hill Rise cottage is a masterful example of colonial style.

Available on an exclusive-use and room-by-room basis, this is a hidey-hole for a group of friends or large family comprising eight adults and four children. Seaplanes from Colombo land on Lake Gregory directly outside Hill Rise or you can take a scenic drive through the Sri Lankan countryside from Kandy.

Nearby Royal Turf Club is the country’s one and only race course and the owners of Hill Rise own thoroughbreds that reside in stables on-site. You are more than welcome to observe training sessions and the horses are available to ride. But if you’d rather be standing firmly on your own two feet, the 18-hole golf course at Nuwara Eliya Golf Club is also nearby and when you find your sea legs, boat trips are easily arranged on the lake.

A stay at Hill Rise includes the services of a butler and chef so you can relax to your heart’s content and leave the organising and cooking to the professionals. Tasty Sri Lankan and Western dishes are served in the dining room while the living room doubles as a massage room for traditional treatments and reflexology performed by the in-house masseuse.

Love cinnamon? Love Villa Mayurana, a deeply rural, phenomenally beautiful hilltop retreat at the centre of a working cinnamon plantation.

This is Sri Lanka’s stunning south where the finest tea and cinnamon grow, Adam’s Peak majestically reaches to the heavens and the Indian Ocean meets buttery coastline. And Villa Mayurana provides the old world charm and luxury hospitality at the heart of it all.

Just north of Koggala Lake and the ocean, the Villa’s inland isolation and bright green border of manicured gardens and cinnamon trees beyond creates a rare kind of privacy and quietude. There are just four guest rooms inside this Dutch-style abode: the Yellow, Red, Orange and Grand Suites. Each one can sleep up to three people, has panoramic vistas of the landscape, a deluxe bathroom, four-poster king-size bed and bonus luxuries such as a Bose sound system, iPod docking station, air con and flat-screen TV.

Marble floors, bare walls and high ceilings lend an elegant backdrop for the colonial furnishings, Sri Lankan art, vintage objets d’art, pretty fabrics and fresh flowers. But only The Orange and Grand Suites have private verandas, with the Grand Suite directly leading out to the infinity pool.

Additional facilities include a gym, yoga lessons, massage treatments, a Jacuzzi, private chef and team of staff always at the ready to serve, organise and advise. Talk to one of them about the Cinnamon Experience involving a presentation on how cinnamon is harvested followed by a four-course lunch flavoured with cinnamon, concluded with an iced or hot tea seasoned by cinnamon. Or ask for a tuk-tuk to transport you to one of the nearby beaches (Mirissa, Thalpe, Unawatuna).

Treks in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, safaris through Yala National Park and day trips to Galle are also worth enquiring about.

As the leaders in luxury serviced apartments, Cheval Residences present the award-winning Cheval Three Quays residence. Located within London’s Square Mile, beside the Tower of London and overlooking the River Thames, Tower Bridge and City Hall, Cheval Three Quays is making waves.

A great base for exploring The City of London’s ancient history and landmarks, it’s also ideal for discovering the copious attractions and exhibitions of the South Bank. Cheval Three Quays’ studios, penthouses, one, two, three and expansive four-bedroom interconnecting apartments are suitable for both short and extended stays, for business or pleasure. Each one is a celebration of cutting-edge interior design with clever lighting, modern furnishings, clean lines and geometric shapes.

Original artworks by Barnaby Gorton and an elegant water feature by the renowned William Pye add an artistic grace to the residence. At the heart of Cheval Three Quays lies exceptional quality and service, from the highest quality fully-fitted kitchens, Sky TV and on-site gym, to the daily housekeeping and 24-hour concierge service.

Those who prefer to simply relax can enjoy the café and restaurant facilities on the ground floor but getting around couldn’t be easier with Tower Hill Underground Station just minutes away and the Thames Clipper at Cheval Three Quays providing transport along the river from Greenwich and The O2 arena to Putney and Chelsea Harbour.

Originally built in 1740, transported from Sag Harbor and run as a farmhouse for many years, this Hamptons’ hidey-hole attracts international, shrewd guests for many reasons (Liz’s breakfast for one!). But above all else, it’s because Eric and Liz have created a warm, inviting home where high-spec amenities, designer décor and special service make it a class above.

With just five rooms, the level of attention to detail and comfort is extra-ordinary. Fine linens, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, smart chrome fireplaces and volcanic stone fixtures in the bathrooms are standard features. The huge Halsey Suite covers the entire second floor.

Local farms and producers provide the ingredients for Liz’s three-course breakfasts accompanied by carefully chosen beverage suppliers, Maine-based Coffee by Design and the UK’s Tea Forté. Treats on the daily-changing menu may include yogurt panna cotta with fresh berries and honey, Nutella banana nut muffins, orange cardamom French toast and the exceptional asparagus avocado egg sandwich.

Recovery from which can take place beside the outdoor pool, in the manicured garden or on the pretty front porch followed by a trip to Flying Point Beach located just two miles’ away. (Ask Eric or Liz for beach parking passes, beach chairs, towels and umbrellas.)

But if you’d rather be surfing your way through a wine list than surfing the waves, nearby Wölffer Estate Vineyard is a short drive away. Stop off on the way back at Bridgehampton (Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s holiday home town of choice) and continue on to mansion-clad Southampton.

Medieval in origin, the masterfully and sustainably restored Tuscan borgo of Castelfalfi is a shining example of nostalgia, charm and evolution.

From its hilltop setting, the legendary Italian landscape unfurls beneath it, with Florence, Pisa and Siena within driving distance. And providing the contemporary, five-star hospitality is Il Castelfalfi, a contemporary-styled 120-room hotel dedicated to well-being through good food, fine wine, championship golf and spa therapies.

Il Castelfalfi is home to Executive Chef Francesco Ferretti’s La Vie del Sale restaurant whose menu concentrates on Italian delicacies prepared by local produce accompanied by wines stocked in the impressive cellar. (Two additional restaurants are located within the village.) Coffee, pastries, teas, cocktails and spirits are the Ecrù bar’s specialities together with snacks and light bites available morning to night. Giglio Blu pool bar serves light lunches, which include vegetarian, vegan and low-carb dishes.

The serene scene lays out before both bars and the outdoor pool, which is best enjoyed in conjunction with treatments at La Spa. The spa comprises an indoor and outdoor pool, Finnish sauna, bio sauna, steam bath, emotional showers and relaxation area. Treatments are based on the holistic philosophy of targeting the mind, body, spirit and emotional state.

Offering an alternative type of therapy is Golf Club Castelfalfi with 27 holes – the largest course in the area – divided into challenging Mountain Course and Lake Course. Turf putting stations, a driving range, golf clinics and a Club House are all part and parcel of the golfing extravaganza.

As part of Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo community, Casa Armadillo is immersed in miles of untouched greenery (70% of this land is protected) and faces the Pacific Ocean that’s just one of the north-west coastline’s 31 beaches.

Although secluded, the privately owned, exclusive-use only Casa Armadillo is situated within the Four Seasons Resort estate and day passes or reservations to all the five-star hotel’s facilities. Notably, the Four Season’s signature Arnold Palmer golf course. This makes the house a terrific golfing getaway for groups up to 12. But golf is just one of many activities available on-site and nearby. Others include tennis, spa treatments, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, yachting, snorkelling and surfing. So visiting children have no opportunity to get bored during family retreats and celebrations here. Small corporate groups on incentive breaks also benefit from an array of team-building exercises. The concierge team can take care of all the arrangements.

The house comprises seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, an outdoor shower, terrace, two-tier pool, living area, fully-equipped kitchen, barbecue and media room. Extra special features such as access to the Four Season’s Prieta Beach Club and daily housekeeping set Casa Armadillo apart. Private chef services are also available (groceries can be ordered in at any time). But there are 12 restaurants within the vicinity ranging from American, Italian and seafood to Asian.

Seasons may come and go but Hotel Montchalet in South Tyrol’s Val Gardena region is a constant source of adventure and jet setting pleasure.

Skiing, snowshoeing and sleigh riding hit this quiet mountain village – known as “the sunny side of the Alps” – in the winter. Mountain biking, trekking, climbing, paragliding and golfing at the foot of Schlern Mountain take over in the summer. Helicopter sightseeing tours are year-round.

All the while, there’s guaranteed world-class luxury, plus total privacy and spectacular scenery from Hotel Montchalet, just a complimentary shuttle ride or Maserati drive away from some of Europe’s finest slopes.

Something refreshingly unique to this newly opened hotel is its emphasis on well-being. The essence of which permeates from the swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and treatment area to the wellness cuisine served in Montchalet’s restaurant. (Traditional Tyrolean dishes with an innovative twist from quality ingredients.)

And if staying in a VIP Suite you’ll have your very own sauna, Jacuzzi and steam bath facilities. However, each and every one of Montchalet’s 16 suites is a modern Alpine den designed for complete comfort and relaxation.

Bonus features such as the in-house cinema, concierge and shuttle service to the slopes and nearby town complete the spoiling, mountainside picture.

Reached via a winding country lane beside the meandering Kromme River, the sprawling vineyards of Doolhof Wine Estate lay out before you in symmetrical precision. This is one of the most spectacularly beautiful and successful wine-producing regions in the world, and the boutique Grand Dédale resides amidst it all.

The Groenberg, Limietberge and Hawekwa mountains tower in the background, and the national monument of Bainskloof Pass is in plain sight. Wellington is a few minutes’ away and Cape Town is just a 50-minute drive.

There are six bedrooms inside this classical Cape Dutch manor house-turned-hotel. Vestiges of its 18th-century past have been reconditioned and modernised resulting in a chic country style worthy of House & Garden. This was originally the Doolhof Wine Estate owners’ home and three of its bedrooms are situated in the beamed loft, accessed via a spiral staircase. An oh-so romantic cottage is tucked away within the 380 hectares, perfect for honeymooners. (Wedding ceremonies, receptions and dinners can take place in six locations, in and around Grand Dédale.)

The manor house has a vast wraparound veranda where pre-dinner drinks are served during the warmer months followed by a four-course table d’hôte dinner dominated by game and seafood. Light lunches and snacks are available all day and picnic baskets can be prepared by request.

Private wine cellar tours and tastings of the prestigious Doolhof wines are just two ways to enjoy Grand Dédale. Other pleasures include in-room spa treatments, hikes in nearby Limietberg Nature Reserve, relaxing around the outdoor salt-water pool and cycling (mountain bike hire is free).

There’s always a special quality about a hotel that was once a home. Case in point: Hotel Busué, a two-storey boutique surprise on Mexico City’s Eugenio Sue Street in the trendy Polanco neighbourhood.

Peaceful and conveniently located for all Polanco’s high-end shops, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions, Busué feels like a friend’s place. One that’s been painstakingly renovated to incorporate original features alongside contemporary and architectural improvements.

Beautiful examples of handcrafted wood, stonemasonry, domed ceilings and tiled flooring are found in every nook and cranny – best described as understated luxury. This is expertly expressed in each of the distinctly different 11 bedrooms where details such as pure white 500-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets dressed with brightly printed throws and cushions, natural stonewashed walls and designer furniture highlight the modern Mexican style. (The avant-garde stakes are raised even higher at the independently-run DIXON terrace bar and fine-dining restaurant located above the hotel.)

But it’s the special services that set Hotel Busué apart such as “handy” phones, which are given to guests upon check-in for the during of their stay. Each one is loaded with suggested tours, local information, maps of the area and credit for calling the US and México. The hotel provides free WiFi so you’re able to log on at any time, at no extra cost.

Justin and Charlie (Charlotte) Salisbury’s Oxfordshire edition of their small but influential group of Artist Residences, is a lesson in how to combine five-star inn style with substance.

Just a 30-minute drive from the centre of Oxford, their 16th-century, thatched-roof inn with rooms (also known as Mr Hanbury’s Mason Arms) is loaded with authentic charm and artistic licence. Its location in South Leigh is an archetypical small English village, which was a huge inspiration for avant-garde artists, the Connor Brothers, when making their eccentric mark to the interior design.

Traditional features such as flagstone floors and deep inglenook fireplaces remain in place, while bold House of Hackney wallpapers and eye-catching Andy Doig neon signs both enliven and bring joy to the proceedings. The five cosy bedrooms all fit under the inn’s eaves and have playful sounding names such as The Rabbit Hole and Farmhouse Lofts, whilst the new Barn Suite is located in private outbuildings complete with a tall vaulted ceiling and its own terrace. Amenities include roll top en-suite bathtubs, quirky antiques and rustic furnishings such as Sri Lankan tea chests that serve as bedside tables.

In the morning, breakfast options include a full English alongside classic boiled eggs and soldiers, and the American favourite: pancakes and maple syrup. Head Chef Leon Smith keeps things traditional in the first-floor Dining Room and ground-floor pub, with enormous Sunday roasts and fish and chips in addition to more “cheffy” dishes showcasing Yorkshire grouse, Cornish plaice and greenery from the inn’s veggie patch.

Accolades received: inclusion within the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide 2017 and 2 AA Rosettes.

Bypass Oban on your way to the Hebrides and miss out on a scenic, gastronomic and majestic experience unique to Scotland. This pretty, little harbour-side town has been a popular stopover since the Victorians completed Oban railway station, and Perle Oban Hotel has been the grand hotel welcoming visitors ever since.

Once inside, there’s nothing Victorian about this grand old dame. The theme is contemporary and unfussy with a fashionable retro vibe and uncompromising comfort. This is most stylishly demonstrated in the 59 guest rooms and suites. Each one has all the essentials needed to retune and recoup such as Egyptian cotton bed sheets, modern bathrooms with powerful rain showers, Bose sound systems and Nespresso machines. Some look out to the spectacular view of the harbour, which is also the backdrop for Perle Oban’s 1882 Seafood and Grill Restaurant.

Oban is known as the seafood capital of Scotland and 1882’s menu upholds this well-deserved moniker with a menu featuring oysters, mussels and lobster alongside grilled dishes cooked in a Josper oven. Alternatively, Brew & Co Bar and Cafe serves an array of cakes and pastries, smoothies and cocktails, and an incredibly large selection of whiskies and beers. Two meeting rooms may be exclusively hired for private dinners as well as an array of special occasions, corporate events, conferences, team-building exercises and presentations.

Aristocratic Tuscan homes such as Villa Armena never fail to impress. The story of its 16th-century Renaissance origins reads like a fairy tale filled with romance and politics. The happy ending? Its reincarnation as a luxury 10-bedroom boutique hotel.

All the elements of a blissful Italian residence are here: exposed beams, traditional terracotta-tiled floors, rich silks, antique furnishings, beautiful art and an Italianate garden. The one big surprise being the avant-garde en-suite bathrooms with cube-shaped fittings, huge walk-in rain showers and baths to wallow in.

It’s easy to thoroughly de-stress at Villa Armena and simply enjoy the surrounding Crete Senesi region of Tuscany. It’s also a convenient gateway to many of the area’s gems such as Siena – a 20-minute drive away – and villages San Gimignano, Montepulciano and Montalcino. Numerous golf courses and wine, truffle and olive oil tours too. And Villa Armena itself is an extremely pretty landscaped setting, complete with an eco-friendly pool facing the stunning views.

Breakfasts are served in the conservatory to this backdrop, whilst dinner is held in The Sorbo Allegro whose talented chef follows the Slow Food philosophy for the locally sourced regional dishes. All of which is enhanced by the selection of well-researched wines stocked in the cellar (wine tastings available) from some of the best and lesser-known, smaller vineyards in the region.

Italian intellectual and politician Gianfranco Miglio commissioned the construction of the three-bedroom Ronco dell’Abate* in the 1960s. A Lombardy farmhouse-inspired retreat, it’s a little piece of Mediterranean paradise encircled by a botanical garden looking down on Lake Como. And Gianfranco’s haven is every inch as restful and refined as it originally was.

The charming and attentive concierge welcomes you on in and it soon becomes apparent that this is a unique vestige of a bygone era. A lifetime’s collection of antiques from all over the world fill the spacious, light rooms, which uphold the vintage vibe.

Ronco dell’Abate still feels like a home and upstairs the well-stocked library and intimate study is a sanctuary of rare books and pristine period furniture. (The library and study are accessed during set times or by special request.) Here, an antique oval table seats eight. Three bedrooms – including a two-bedroom suite – are also on this floor. Each of which has a study or lounge area and a private terrace with views over the blossoming garden, city of Como and its lake. Tastefully updated, many of their original stylings remain such as gold-leaf wallpaper and parquet flooring.

Outside, the garden provides shady respite on summer days, maybe with a glass of local wine from Ronco dell’Abate’s cellar accompanied by an apéritif. Food and drink are available from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 7pm, in the garden room, terrace or on tables located near the wood-burning oven, which is a perfect place for get-togethers. The main room with piano is also a lovely spot for social events.

*Ronco dell’Abate will close for a winter break on 1st November 2017, reopening on 28th February 2018.

For a touch of quirk with your quality self-catering holiday, nowhere quite rivals The Windmill Suffolk.

Once a working windmill – built in 1891 – its transformation into a stylish, contemporary hideaway promises a stay like no other. There are two bedrooms (super king-size beds in each) within this cylindrical surprise surrounded by the beautiful Suffolk countryside. Put simply, it’s a triumph of contemporary design both inside and out.

The top-floor POD living space is where you might spend most of your time. From here, the panoramic views of the rolling, pastoral landscape are entrancing and a curved Sky HD TV accompanied by comfy sofas keep you cosily settled to the spot. In between the third and first-floor bedrooms is the deluxe bathroom with free-standing tub and monsoon shower. And the ground floor comprises the kitchen stocked with essentials and every appliance you could possibly need. These include an electric oven, microwave and Nespresso machine (refills are complimentary) and necessities such as salt and pepper, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, tea, milk and cleaning materials.

However, there’s no need to be a slave to the kitchen because The Windmill is within close proximity of various gastropubs and fine-dining options. Plus, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Lavenham, Aldeburgh, Felixstowe and the stunning Norfolk coastline.

Bonus feature: guests of The Windmill Suffolk are entitled to special offer packages at a local spa.

For a city known for its cobbled streets and breathtaking bridges, Porto’s centuries-old beauty also contains some showstopping avant-garde surprises. Namely, Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa.

What initially strikes you about this 265-room contemporary knockout is the glass panelled façade that brings in a huge amount of natural light. Upon entering the white interior, the sun bounces off every inch of the polished white marble floor and glossy white walls. And the ever-reliable Sheraton service and upscale benefits are instantly at your disposal.

Located just off the major thoroughfare of Avenida da Boavista, you’re a stone’s throw from Dutch starchitect Rem Koolhaas’ landmark Casa da Música concert hall, home to some of the city’s best new music. The old town’s bustling nightlife and growing foodie scene are a short cab ride back away. But when it comes to entertaining, meeting and hosting clients, Sheraton Porto has it covered with 16 conference rooms.

All the facilities for small and large-scale parties, presentations, dinner dances and receptions are all right here. Extra special touches such as wine tastings in Porto Novo Restaurant’s stunning wine cellar can also be arranged. Porto Novo also has a wood-fired oven and a menu full of Mediterranean flavour. For drinks, the lobby’s New Yorker Bar is a great spot with terrace, while healthy smoothies, fresh juices and vegetarian sandwiches are prepared in the Juice Bar @ The Spa. Sheraton’s spa is a must-visit with eight treatment rooms, a hair salon, gym and relaxing Japanese-themed covered garden.